Hi All, I am new to the forum, so please be gentle. I am a picker from Long Island, NY. I recently purchased these along with two other boxed sets of three balls. I don't think the others are ivory though. The set pictured has the three balls with original oak box with advertising on the cover and a label on the inside of the cover. All balls look to be in very good condition. Looking to determine approximate value and may then be listing for sale here on the appropriate forum. Any help appreciated. Thank you
Boxed Set of Brunswick Balke Collender Ivory Balls
- Thread starter Cuebert
- Start date
wow, those appear to be in exceptionally good shape.
I’m not qualified to put a number on them but to the right guy they’re definitely worth something.
Lou Figueroa
Back when Ebay was handling ivory balls, a set like that would be somewhere around $300. There are now restrictions on ivory and even old ivory depending on your location. I think this document describes the situation in New York:
It's not clear to me from the picture that the balls are ivory. In particular, I don't see the usual pattern/lines and small cracks that an ivory set that old would normally have. Look up "Schreger Pattern". Here are some examples.
It's not clear to me from the picture that the balls are ivory. In particular, I don't see the usual pattern/lines and small cracks that an ivory set that old would normally have. Look up "Schreger Pattern". Here are some examples.
I see a really nice set of genuine Brunswick Ivories- with the original wood box. It does not get better than this for this component of the billiards game as far as the highest end collector of either Brunswick as a stand alone, billiard balls as a stand alone, or a general billiards related collector is concerned! The golden age of billiards in America, and the leader in every respect, on the industry side of the game, combined in a rarely found key component of the game in that era.
The true number of collectors on the high end for this item are rather small. If this were an auction , I would open it up at $500, if I were just throwing out a starting negotiable offer, I would ASK $1200 and see what offers come in to you.
The true number of collectors on the high end for this item are rather small. If this were an auction , I would open it up at $500, if I were just throwing out a starting negotiable offer, I would ASK $1200 and see what offers come in to you.
I can’t tell if the balls are indeed ivory or not from the photos. The pics are not close up or clear. Ivory has a unique
appearance & I’ve never seen any imitation that duplicates it. I can tell you the box is authentic looking….that’s about it.
appearance & I’ve never seen any imitation that duplicates it. I can tell you the box is authentic looking….that’s about it.
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Yes!
That's what I was thinking. They look good and in amazing condition. At least a grand.
Lou Figueroa
Or it could be a really old box with a set of moderately old plastic balls. From that picture it's impossible to distinguish between ivory and plastic. The balls are almost certainly not as old as the box.
I would normally defer to your superior knowledge in these matters but have to disagree.
They all have swirl markings consistent with ivory, with one with the swirls down to what looks like the eye of the tusk.
Lou Figueroa
I own about 20+ ivory sets.
To be perfectly honest, your set does NOT look ivory to me.
I would have to see closer, better pictures and identifying lines before I would say different.
A couple of my sets have almost zero use but the Schreger lines are very clearly visible.
Will Prout
To be perfectly honest, your set does NOT look ivory to me.
I would have to see closer, better pictures and identifying lines before I would say different.
A couple of my sets have almost zero use but the Schreger lines are very clearly visible.
Will Prout
Yes, we need clearer pictures. Even if ivory, I think they don't match the box, since any ball that old (and used) has no chance to look that clear.
Thank you! I appreciate your comments.
Thanks much for all of this information. Here are pics of the balls in this set. They appear similar to the pictures you posted.
Yes, clearly ivory. The balls appear to be very lightly used.
Thank you for your enthusiastic response, valuation and tips for selling. Not sure if I am going to be able to sell them though. The laws in my state seem to totally prohibit it.
Thank you. I sent close up pictures to Bob Jewett and he confirmed they are ivory.
Actually it states right on the label NOT to use sweet oil on these balls (See the label on the inside cover).